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Presentation to Parish Council 22 September 2011. Team Members . Harvey Lay – Henry Davidson Developments Limited Rob Duff – Pegasus Planning Group Peter Finlayson – PFA Consulting. Background – Who is Involved?.
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Presentation to Parish Council 22 September 2011
Team Members • Harvey Lay – Henry Davidson Developments Limited • Rob Duff – Pegasus Planning Group • Peter Finlayson – PFA Consulting
Background – Who is Involved? • Henry Davidson Development Limited – leading developer of local/district centres. • The TA Saunders Trust have promoted the land since 2009 through the Core Strategy process. • No planning applications have been submitted to West Berkshire Council. • The Local Centre is not a precursor for housing development – it is a stand alone development.
Why is a Local Centre Proposed? • Burghfield Parish Plan, September 2003
Why is a Local Centre Proposed? • Background Paper: A Rural Settlement Hierarchy for West Berkshire, West Berkshire Planning Strategy, May 2008 • Used to provide evidence for Core Strategy • Shows Burghfield Common as the third most sustainable settlement in the district, but without a supermarket or bank. • Burghfield Common has the highest population of any rural settlement.
Why is Local Centre Proposed • West Berkshire Core Strategy Settlement Hierarchy Topic Paper April 2009 • Defines Burghfield Common as a “Rural Service Centre”. • Places Burghfield Common below Hungerford and Theale in terms of sustainability due only to it having no supermarket or bank. • States that: “A problem with Burghfield Common is its lack of a supermarket, bank and defined town or village centre, this is despite it having a population larger than Hungerford.” • States that: “An issue for Burghfield Common is its lack of a significant village centre despite its relatively high population. In the past there has been a large amount of housing development, yet this has not been matched by the provision of facilities; there is no supermarket or bank.”
Proposed Submission Core Strategy February 2010 • Spatial Policy SP 6 – East Kennet Valley • Proposes exploration of a District Centre for Burghfield Common • This policy remains unchanged, as Policy AP 6 in the most recent Core Strategy, 2011 • West Berkshire has identified a need for a centre and has proposed policies for it.
Why Firlands? • Acknowledge that although adjacent to Burghfield Common, the site is in Sulhamstead Parish. • Will serve Burghfield Common as well as surrounding parishes of Sulhamstead and Ufton Nervet – over 6,000 people in all parishes • Site is adjacent to existing community facilities at Willink School and Leisure Centre. • Potential for linked trips, enhancing sustainability, reducing mileage to surrounding shopping centres and retaining spending within the area.
Feedback from Public Consultation • Public consultation held on 2nd and 3rd September • Approx 357 attendees • 148 Comments Forms left • 315 post-it note comments left on display boards • 22 Email comments to the website • Mixed response to plans and some suggestions on how to improve/what to include
Consultation Issues • Most common issues raised by consultation include: • Worries about Burghfield Common becoming a town • Concern regarding potential new housing • Concern regarding traffic flows on Hollybush Lane/traffic safety with Willink School • Facilities proposed not needed • Queries regarding viability of the proposed facilities • Would like to see more youth facilities included in the plans • Suggestions for the supermarket operator • Suggestions for community facilities required in the village • Care home is welcomed • Issues regarding environment/trees
Housing • This proposal is only for a Local Centre – not up to 300 homes • Potential for a few flats above the proposed shops • Housing is proposed in Burghfield Common by the West Berkshire Core Strategy • A number of sites in Burghfield Common are being promoted, including Firlands • Willing to speak separately about housing at a later date
Transport • We are aware of the concerns of residents regarding the capacity of Hollybush Lane and safety issues regarding the Willink School. • We would like comments on how this could be improved. • We are surveying the road and will be looking to improve safety as part of the development. • Will also look to reduce travel movements as less out-commuting from Burghfield Common
Questions • What facilities do you need? • What would you want to see? • Any suggestions for retailers? • Can we upgrade existing youth facilities? • Can we upgrade or provide a community building? • How can we involve the community more in drawing up the plans?
Next Steps • Analysing consultation responses and preparing new Master Plan in response • Potential to form focus group with residents to discuss proposals further • Pre-application will take place with West Berks Council • Re-visit Parish Councils prior to submission • Submission by end of year